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"I assure you Lord Ian will not be ensorcelled and lose his reason. He has known me for a very long time, longer than your whole life. He is quite accustomed to my appearance." |
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For the first time Geoffrey's eyes came up and stared defiantly into hers. Their color was lighter and brighter, a golden brown. "Do you know I am a bastard, madam?" |
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Alinor laughed aloud. "Yes, indeed. What of that? So was my great grandfather and my great-great grandfather, too. My grandfather was not, but that was only because the priest hurried the service in accordance with my great grandmother's need. I understand that it was a very near thing." |
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"You think it is funny?" Geoffrey's eyes were darker again and the corners showed the sheen of tears. |
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"I think it is of no importance," Alinor said seriously, contrite at her carelessness. The young were so easily hurt. "A man is what he makes of himself. He can be a filthy thing, although born of high estate, or he can be like my Simon, born to little but greater than the kings he served." Alinor bit her lip. How quickly Simon's name came to her. To Geoffrey she should have spoken of Ian or of his father. "Perhaps," she continued, ''your mother and father should have been wiser, but sometimes it is very hard to be wise. Geoffrey, my love, you will hear no word of blame from me, even of your parents, and for you, my child, you are innocent of any wrong. Did you think I would care what you were born?" |
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"But you are so beautiful!" |
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The reiteration, coupled with what Ian had told Alinor, suddenly clarified at least part of Geoffrey's trouble. Queen Isabella was one of the most beautiful women alive. Alinor slipped off the stool onto her knees and drew Geoffrey into her arms. |
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"Child, child," she murmured, "not every beautiful woman is cruelat least not to children." She uttered |
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